Nano Filter Pump

ABSTRACT

A class of devices using nanotubes and nano-shapes which can partially organize molecules in random motion to move either some selectively or all of them, to create pressure differences and hence motive forces, or cause air flow into pressurized area. Because Air is a cloud of particles separated by vacuum, the device in air can be used to create motive force pushing any form of vehicle, lifting force for any form of air vehicle, air compression, power source for any form of machine, conveyor or generator, using the solar energy stored in the air in the form of heat, 24 hours a day, worldwide.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

No other patents related.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

This patent is not federally sponsored.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vapor's and gases are largely treated as fluid's. Unlike liquids, thebehavior of gases is only fluid-like at large aggregate scales. Atscales near the size of air molecules, a vapor, gaseous state or air areall clouds of particles separated by vacuum. Nano scale structures, suchas carbon nanotubes are at the right size to create shapes which willinteract differently with the cloud of particles than would the sameshape at larger scales. Such nano-shape based devices can act as bothfilters and pumps. While such static shapes apparently are incapable ofdoing work (true in a sense), the work can be done by the random motionof the particle cloud.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed are a class of nano-shapes which, if made on a large scale,such as sheets of material, take the random motion of air or othergaseous state materials to perform as filter's or pumps. Because a pumpwill change the air pressure on each side of the surface, they will alsocreate a net force in one direction, in the same manner an airplane wingdoes. The shape will create this air pressure difference without any netvelocity (wind direction) within the particle cloud, unlike an airplanewing, which must be in motion. This air pressure difference can providea motive force, such as a sail, in any direction; create a liftingforce, such as a wing, helicopter rotor, or lighter than air balloon.The device can move air in to a higher region of pressure, which can usethe heat energy in the air, via the pressure difference, to work as aheat engine powered directly by the heat in the air. An example would bea turbine driven electric generator. The fuel source is the sun, theatmosphere acting as an energy collector, one that holds the energy foruse 24 hours a day.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIGS. 1 thru 24 are of a small section of flat sheet material, piercedwith nano tubes. The nano tubes on one side extend past the materialsurface, surrounded by a shape which serves both as support and asstatistically reduce likelihood a random cloud of particles will passthrough. On the other surface of the material, the nanotubes openingsare recessed, in a shape statistically increasing the chance randommotion particles will pass through.

FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are bottom, orthogonal side/bottom, side crosssection and orthogonal side/top, respectively. They are 2 d draftsmanrepresentation of sparsely spaced tubes, with pyramid shaped rises onone side and depressions on the other.

FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 are bottom, orthogonal side/bottom, side crosssection and orthogonal side/top, respectively. They are perspectiveviews of the sparsely spaced tube sections from FIG. 1 thru 4, withpyramid shaped rises on one side and depressions on the other.

FIGS. 9, 10, 11 and 12 are bottom, bottom sliced, orthogonal top/sidesliced cross section and side sliced cross section, respectively. Theyare 2 d draftsman representation of tightly spaced tubes, with pyramidshaped rises on one side and depressions on the other.

FIGS. 13, 14, 15 and 16 are bottom, bottom sliced, orthogonalbottom/side sliced cross section and orthogonal top/side sliced crosssection, respectively. They are perspective views of the tightly spacedtube sections from FIG. 9 thru 12, with pyramid shaped rises on one sideand depressions on the other.

FIGS. 17, 18, 19 and 20 are bottom, orthogonal bottom/side sliced,orthogonal top/side sliced cross section and side sliced cross section,respectively. They are 2 d draftsman representation of tightly spacedtubes, with cone shaped rises on one side and depressions on the other.Additionally, the spacing between rows is staggered, for compactspacing.

FIGS. 21, 22, 23 and 24 are bottom, orthogonal bottom/side sliced,orthogonal top/side sliced cross section and side sliced cross section,respectively. They are perspective views of the tightly spaced tubesections from FIG. 17 thru 20, with cone shaped rises on one side anddepressions on the other.

FIGS. 25, 26 and 27 are a series of snapshots of a simulation of 2 drandom motion, with selective shaped divider, acute angled shapes, andsmall openings relative to molecule spacing. FIG. 25 showspreconditions. FIG. 26 shows early migration ratio is in the range 3 or4 to 1 and FIG. 27 shows sustainable densities near the surface are alsoin the range of 3 or 4 to 1.

FIGS. 28, 29 and 30 are a series of snapshots of a simulation of 2 drandom motion, with selective shaped divider, obtuse angled shapes, andlarge openings relative to molecule spacing. FIG. 28 showspreconditions. FIG. 29 shows early migration ratio is in the range 3 or4 to 1 and FIG. 30 shows sustainable densities near the surface are alsoin the range of 3 or 4 to 1. (Very similar results to obtuse angles andnarrower openings).

FIG. 31 shows the statistical mechanisms of selective transfer throughthe nanotubes.

#A Nanotubes passage

#B Solid portion of sheet

#D Region on this side increases chances of molecules entering andpassing through the nanotubes in upward direction. Some collisions willdeflect into tube.

#C Region in which decreases chances molecules will pass downwardthrough nanotubes.

Some collisions from solid sheet will send molecules on trajectorieswhich will collide with molecules on a heading to enter tube, deflectingthem. No collisions with solid sheet can directly enter tube.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The device disclosed is a sheet of material or planer material withnano-tube perforations passing completely through material. Thenano-surface of the low pressure sheet is shaped to increase likelihoodmolecules will pass into nanotubes, the nano surface of the highpressure side of the sheet is shaped to reduce the likelihood moleculeswill enter the nanotubes from that side of the sheet.

Depending on the relative size of molecules in the gaseous state on eachside of the nano-filter-pump sheet, molecules of different sizes canhave different probability of passing through. In the limiting case,molecules larger than the nanotubes openings will be unable to passthrough. Smaller molecules will pass through easily. This effect can beused as a passive gas molecule sorter or filter.

The nano-shape of the surface of the filter sheet will allow somemigration of small molecules in the reverse direction, but the migrationwill continue until equilibrium is reached, which the density of thetransferable molecules on the high pressure side times the probabilityof random nanotubes transfer is equal to the density of the transferablemolecules on the low pressure side of the sheet times the probability oftransfer. For example, if the probability of random transfer from highpressure one side is 1%, and probability of transfer from the lowpressure side is 20%, equilibrium is reached when the density of thehigh pressure side is 20 times the density of the low pressure side.

The shape can also be used to create motive force.

Even a small probability difference, 1% vs. 1.1% acting in atmospherewill create a large force, given a large area. The densities will reachequilibrium when the density on one side is 1.1 times the density on theother. At 1 atmosphere of pressure, that means 10% of 15 pounds persquare inch (PSI) or 1.5 PSI net force. For this case, a 10″ by 10″, 100square inch area of nano-filter-pump material would produce 150 poundsof force, enough to lift a small person.

FIG. 29 shows multiple ways probability of transfer can be affected.

1) The size of the nanotubes openings on either side of sheet can bemanipulated by making the tube into a funnel shape instead of acylinder. So the probability of transfer is relative to the size of eachopening. 2:1 funnel shape creates approximately double probability oftransfer in the direction of the funnel. See FIG. 31 area A, which showsa cylindrical passage. This passage can be instead made funnel shaped.

2) The material may be modified on one side to create lower pressure byforming a funnel shaped entrance to the nanotubes (including cylindricalshaped nano-tubes). Although all molecules striking the wider funnel ofthe material will not pass through, some percentage of them will be ableto bounce singly or multiple times directly into the nanotube's opening.If the inverse shape is on the other side of the sheet, no moleculescolliding with the material on the opposite side can traverse (bounce)directly into the nanotube's opposite side. See FIG. 31 area D.

-   -   3) If the shape of the sheet on the other side can be modified        to create higher pressure by a convex shape between nanotube        openings. The random collisions with the shape will send some        molecules over the openings and away from the material, to        collide with and deny entry to molecules which would otherwise        enter the openings. See FIG. 31 area C.

The method 3 in prior paragraph is the same effect an airplane winguses, but on a larger scale. The leading edge creates an air wave frontthat will knock some air molecules up and away from the wing, as thewing passes under. This reduces the number of molecules hitting theupper surface of the wing, creating lift by reducing force on the wing'stop.

The device is dependent on being able to create repeating structuresnear the size of nitrogen (N2), Oxygen (O2), Carbon dioxide (CO2) andwater vapor (H2O). These molecules range from 200 pico-meters to 400pico-meters, or 0.2 nanometers to 0.4 nano-meters.

Spacing of air molecules in atmosphere is likely to be an importantdesign measurement as well. Nitrogen is the highest percentage componentof air. Liquid nitrogen is about 600 times denser than gaseous Nitrogen(N2) at standard temperature and pressure (STP). Taking the cube root,spacing of air molecules in every direction is between 8 and 10 moleculesizes. So molecule spacing is between 1600 pico-meters or 1.6nano-meters, and 4000 pico-meters or 4 nano-meters.

Carbon nano tubes are reported from very small, diameter 2 nano-meters,to several orders of magnitude larger. 2 nano-meters is in the idealrange for this device. If possible, a funnel shaped opening from 2nanometers down to ½ or ¼ of a nanometer would be ideal.

However, a simple tube of constant diameter will work fine, if theopposite surfaces of the material are made to increase and decrease,respectively, the probability of molecules transferring through thenanotubes.

Strength of the material should minimally be able to handle double theatmospheric pressure, the limit of its own effect, plus significantlymore if it is subject to additional forces, especially explosive forces.30 pounds supported by 1 square inch would break most thin materialsheets we are familiar with, plastic wrapping or paper for example. Thematerial may need to be reinforced with fibers or a net of strongmaterials, silk, steel, nylon as examples. Rip stop nylon would be anideal model to prevent sheeting holes from propagating to rip entiresheet and catastrophic failure. If properly engineered, repair canconsist of plugging punctures.

There are an outstanding array of applications:

As direct motive force, “sails” which apply direct force in thedirection pointed, would move ships, wheeled vehicles, airplanes.

Direct drive fans, similar to turbine blades, could move electricgenerators, power conveyors or machines.

Direct lift would make feasible airplanes, helicopters, even cars, whichfly without moving wings or blades.

All applications would be virtually silent, making a wind noise at most.

Direct compression of air can be stored, or be used to power heatengines (which are powered by the heat of the air).

All these applications are possible with no external fuel, using theheat energy from the sun, stored in the air.

1. Devices disclosed are a class of static nano shapes designed tofilter air, vapor or other gaseous state material, and/or pump air,vapor or gaseous material, based on selectively directing the randomparticles making up the air, vapor or gaseous state material.
 2. Devicescited in claim 1 are generally sheets of material, or planer material,and can be combined into other shapes as needed.
 3. Devices cited inclaim 1 can are powered by heat energy in the atmosphere, which camefrom solar power, and is available 24 hours a day worldwide, even inarctic regions.
 4. Devices cited in claim 1 require no fuel source otherthan heat in the air.
 5. Devices cited in claim 1 can provide motiveforce for machines, vehicles, lifting surfaces, air turbines, heatengines (powered by atmospheric heat), and power generation. 6.Simulation shows feasibility of concept of devices cited in claim
 1. 7.Current technologies, such as carbon nanotubes, are suitable buildingblocks, showing devices sited in claim 1 are manufacturable.
 8. Devicessited in claim 1 can be used to filter gaseous materials based onmolecular size.
 9. Devices cited in claim 1 can create a pressuredifference between planer sides.
 10. Devices cited in claim 1 can createpressure differences capable of providing motive force in any directionwithout relative motion (such as airplane wings), or relative windmotion, while in the atmosphere.
 11. Devices cited in claim 1 can causeair to be compressed, without additional energy being added, using onlyenergy already in the air.
 12. Devices cited in claim 11 can be used tostore energy, store air or other vapors.
 13. Devices cited in claim 8can be used in chemical separation of gases, including air,humidification, dehumidification.
 14. Devices cited in claim 5 canprovide lift for very large masses to the rarified regions of theatmosphere.